Rattler Sports Network on 96.1 JAMZ has broadcast Florida A&M football games on the local Tallahassee radio station for the past five decades, but beginning this season, Florida A&M football games will no longer be available on the radio.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, FAMU did not renew its contract with Cumulus Media, the parent company of Rattler Sports Network; instead, all FAMU games will be available on various networks for streaming and TV.
Games will be available on ESPN, HBCU Go and SWAC TV.
The Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club previously funded Rattler Sports Network in partnership with the school’s athletics department. This year, the support organization took a step back, handing complete control to the athletics department, which declined to renew the radio contract.
“The athletic department expressed that they are shifting focus to the media aspects of the SWAC,” former Eddie Jackson 220 Quarterback Club president Vaughn Wilson told the Tallahassee Democrat. “And radio is just not a part of that package.”
Former radio announcer Albert Chester was the starting quarterback for FAMU when the team won the 1978 NCAA Division 1-AA title, and he was the longtime broadcast voice of Rattler football.
“Rattler Nation, I have some very disappointing news,” Chester posted to Facebook, regarding the decision. “I was just advised by the athletic department that the 2026 FAMU football season will not, I repeat, will not be broadcast via radio. Sad day.”
Several alumni commented and shared Chester’s post, expressing their disappointment that the radio broadcast would not continue.
While the first FAMU kick off will not be hitting the airwaves, the team’s first televised game against the Albany State Golden Rams is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7p.m., with the new head coach, Quinn Fordham Gray Sr., also making his debut.
